Fifth Ave Perio

Improving Smiles

Dental Implants Timeline

Written by: Dr. Clifford Melnick, DMD

If you are missing a tooth or multiple teeth, it’s important that you meet with a Manhattan cosmetic dentist as soon as possible. Doing so can help you avoid major dental problems down the road. You see, when you’re missing a tooth or multiple teeth, there are a number of aesthetic problems and dental health problems to deal with. Clearly a missing tooth diminishes the appearance of a smile, but it can also lead to gum recession, loss of bone density in the jaw, and gradual misalignment of your remaining teeth. To address both the cosmetic concerns and health concerns, one of the best options is implant dentistry.

About Dental Implants

Manhattan dental implants are artificial tooth roots that are surgically anchored into your jawbone and gum tissue. When in place, these artificial tooth roots will be able to support dentures, dental bridges, or an individual dental crown. The hold that dental implants provide is much stronger than denture creams and other dental adhesives. In addition, the dental implant will prevent erosion of the gums and jawbone.

The Initial Consultation for Dental Implants

The first step of the dental implants process is the initial consultation at our periodontics and implant dentistry practice in Manhattan. During this visit, your dental health and eligibility for dental implants will be fully assessed. Not all people are good candidates for dental implants. It’s important for you to have sufficient bone density and gum tissue to support the artificial tooth root. Medical conditions may make certain people with missing teeth unable to undergo this treatment.

The Oral Surgery to Place the Dental Implants

If you are considered an ideal candidate for dental implants, the next step will be the oral surgery. This will involve the dental implants being screwed into your jawbone and gum tissue in the tooth gap. We will make sure the implant is properly situated in the existing structures of your mouth. During the oral surgery, you will likely be under general anesthesia, though sometimes only local anesthetic and mild sedation are required.

The Recovery and Healing Period After Oral Surgery

This is easily the longest phase of the dental implants process. After your oral surgery, you will need to undergo a process known as osseointegration. This essentially means that the dental implant will fuse with the actual structures of your mouth. This can take a few months, usually three to six. In some patients, this may take up to a year.

You will visit our Manhattan implant dentist and periodontist regularly during your healing process to ensure that everything is going fine. After your oral surgery, we’ll be sure to let you know how to promote healing and prevent problems with your dental implant.

Placing the Final Dental Restoration

Once osseointegration has been achieved, the final step of the process is the placement of the dental restoration. This dental restoration will be customized so that it blends in seamlessly with your existing teeth in terms of color and contour.

Overall, the dental implants process can take anywhere between six months to a year, sometimes more. We can give you a better estimate on your individual treatment timeframe once we have met with you for a consultation.

Learn More About Dental Implants

Even though the process for placing dental implants will require a few months, the results that can be achieved are quite phenomenal. To learn more about dental implants and your many options for replacing missing teeth, we encourage you to contact our Midtown Manhattan periodontics and implant dentistry practice today. We look forward to your visit and the conversation we’ll have about dental and advanced dental care.